Those familiar with the television show Hotel Impossible are undoubtedly familiar with its host and creator, Anthony Melchiorri. In the reality show, Melchiorri and his team transform struggling hotels into successful destinations for tourists through renovations, staff training and identifying operational problems. As an expert in the hospitality industry, Melchiorri was featured as part of the Paul Wise speaker series at the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics on May 1.
The Paul Wise Speaker Series brings prominent hospitality leaders to campus to connect with students and share real-world experiences. Melchiorri spoke to UD hospitality management students, highlighting his career path and what it takes to achieve excellence in the business.
Melchiorri spoke to UD hospitality industry management students, highlighting his own career path and what it takes to achieve excellence in the business. The industry expert and business fixer specifically noted the importance of striving for perfection when in the hotel industry: perfectly folded linens, perfectly set silverware, and perfectly tucked bed sheets. However, this goal for perfection must also be paired with a desire to make guests feel welcome.
“You have to really want to make people happy,” Melchiorri said.
Melchiorri explained how working in the hospitality industry requires multitasking and attention to detail at every level. For students looking to enter into the hotel business, he advised them to be comfortable with reacting to situations as they arise and making sure they enjoy “a day that is always different.”
At the Lerner College, students who work in the lodging module learn about every aspect of hotel operations. This ranges from ensuring the rooms are optimal to providing a welcoming environment at the front desk, and this teaching strategy aims to help students get hands-on hotel experience. Similarly, Melchiorri argues that if you do not know how a hotel works, you cannot run it properly.
According to the Hotel Impossible host, understanding the inner workings of a hotel is one of the most important aspects for students if they wish to achieve success in their future careers. When managing hotels, Melchiorri emphasized how it is critical to understand how each and every aspect of a hotel operates, from housekeeping to the front desk.
“If you’re going to be a surgeon, you have to know how the body works, right?” asked Melchiorri.
Students said the experience was both inspiring and informative.
“Anthony gave some really good advice,” said C.J. McGinnis, a rising junior majoring in hospitality and industry management. “He talked about being ambitious, having a strong work ethic, and being passionate about what you do. He also shared why taking calculated risks is important in the hospitality industry.”
“Students in HOSP180: Introduction to Hospitality Business Management are incredibly fortunate to learn directly from industry leaders who bring real-world insight into the classroom,” Sheryl Kline, Deputy Dean and Aramark Chaired Professor, said.
Each semester, accomplished hospitality industry professionals are invited to share their expertise with Lerner students. This semester, students read the book Show Up by Anthony Melchiorri, and also got the unique opportunity to meet him in person.
“As a leading expert and well-known figure in television and podcasting, Anthony inspired our students with powerful stories and practical advice that will guide them as they prepare for leadership roles in hotels and across the broader hospitality industry,” Kline said.